Also Present—California Department of Education

Call to Order

Lawrence (Larry) Herrera, Chair, called the meeting to order at 10:10 a.m.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Members and other attendees introduced themselves.

Approval of Agenda

Carol Chase Huegli made the following changes to the Child Nutrition Advisory Council (CNAC) agenda: add Sandip Kaur to Item 1; change Item 5 title to “Professional Standards for State and Local School Nutrition Programs Personnel as Required by the Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010” (now Item 6 on minutes). Lucy McProud then moved to approve the agenda for February 10, 2014, and Barbara Rohrer seconded the motion. The CNAC voted to approve the February 10, 2014, agenda.

Approval of Minutes
to the December 9, 2013, CNAC Meeting

Larry Herrera made one edit to Item 1, page 6. Lucy McProud then moved to approve the minutes and Trish Vance seconded the motion. The CNAC voted to approve the minutes of the December 9, 2013, meeting.

Subject: Nutrition Services Division Director’s Update

2014 NSD Priorities

Ms. Kaur informed the CNAC about the NSD Priorities for 2014. Ms. Kaur shared the new NSD vision statement, which includes being a world leader for California, having better guidance and training to staff, better customer service and quality work, and increasing compliance and oversight. The NSD is collaborating with partners to achieve this vision. Ms. Kaur also informed the CNAC about the NSD’s goal for quality training and technical assistance (TA) support for program participation and compliance.

Ms. Kaur updated the CNAC about the new and ongoing organizational changes, including Gregory Heilner, Staff Services Manager (SSM II), of the new Community Nutrition Programs Unit and Chris Kavooras, SSM II, of the School Nutrition Programs Unit. Within the next few months, the NSD will be filling Mr. Heilner’s previous position, SSM II Food Distribution Program Unit. Although the NSD has many responsibilities, Ms. Kaur informed the CNAC of the top five NSD priorities for 2014:

Cafeteria fund management

Administrative Review (AR) process

Food Service Management Company contracts

Continued implementation of the Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010 (HHFKA)

Increasing meal participation

Trish Vance asked about any new priorities for NSD that are different from 2013’s priorities. Ms. Kaur stated there is nothing new, but the HHFKA priority will have a different focus for 2014. For example, in 2013 the focus was menu certification, TA, and menu validation while in 2014 the main focus is the new AR process.

Ms. Kaur also informed the CNAC that the California Department of Education (CDE) requested an additional 15 positions for the 2014–15 Budget Year, but this request was deferred until spring 2014. The NSD will be working with the Comprehensive Center at WestEd, a no-cost consulting firm to state agencies. West Ed will help the NSD determine how best to utilize these 15 positions if they are approved. Lastly, Ms. Kaur informed the CNAC that the NSD will also focus on different sections of the HHFKA by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Service (FNS).

Legislative Updates

Ms. Chase Huegli provided the following updates in the early legislative cycle:

Assembly Bill 682 (Calderon):

Assembly Bill (AB) 682 is now a dead bill. This bill would have not allowed schools to serve “plump chicken”—a process of injecting chicken with a salt solution. Ms. Staniford added that the school meals already have reduction of sodium levels as a priority.

Federal Regulation Updates

Community Eligibility Provision

Ms. Chase Huegli informed the CNAC that Sharon Freschi, Associate Governmental Program Analyst, is the lead on the new Community Eligibility Provision and is in charge of educating districts on this provision.

Other Updates

Ms. Chase Huegli informed the CNAC that the implementation of the USDA Smart Snacks in School Interim Final Rule will begin on July 1, 2014. There are in-person and Webinar training efforts from the NSD to educate schools on this new rule. These trainings were announced by e-mails dated February 3, 2014 (in-person training schedule) and February 7, 2014 (Webinar training schedule). The NSD will also release a Management Bulletin including updated resources.

Ms. Chase Huegli also informed the CNAC that the NSD is still waiting for the proposed rule for the new CACFP meal pattern. The USDA anticipates releasing the meal pattern this summer. Lastly, Ms. Chase Huegli stated the CACFP contact information. If you have any questions regarding the CACFP, please visit the CDE CACFP Web pages at http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/nu/cc/ and http://www.cde.ca.gov/fg/aa/nt/cacfp.asp or the CDE CACFP Bulletins Web page at http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/nu/cc/mb.asp#year2013. You can also contact a CACFP Office Technician by phone at 916-327-2991 or by e-mail at ncharpentier@cde.ca.gov, or contact your CACFP Specialist. A contact list of CACFP Specialists is available in the Download Forms section of the Child Nutrition Information and Payment System, Form #CACFP 01.

Government Affairs Division Updates

Ms. Staniford provided the CNAC with a brief overview of the state budget and other legislative updates. For 2013, legislation was a great success for education. AB 626 (Skinner), which was signed into law in October 2013 and became effective on January 1, 2014, aligned state law with federal law for HHFKA and amended certain California Education Code (EC) sections related to competitive foods and beverages. Ms. Staniford stated the governor’s state revenues also increased significantly by $4 billion, but might fluctuate later. Since schools (especially Provision 2 and 3 and Community Eligibility Provision schools) have had problems with data collection and implementation of LCFF, Ms. Staniford stated that the data collection deadline for all schools has been extended to March 21, 2014, to allow schools to refine their data counts of the students. However, schools that needed extra time must submit a justification explaining why they need the extension. The State Superintendent of Public Instruction (SSPI), Tom Torlakson, continues to review additional solutions for the legislation, budget, and best practices for the required data collection.

Since the legislative cycle just began, very few bills have been introduced and most bills are being drafted. There are no currently proposed bills related to nutrition programs. Ms. Staniford stated that the deadline to introduce new bills is February 21, 2014. However, Ms. Staniford did inform the CNAC of some bills of interest. Senate Bill (SB) 622 (Monning) has died. This bill would have required a tax on every distributor of any soda or sweetened beverage. SB 837 (Steinberg) is a new bill, co-sponsored by the SSPI, requiring universal prekindergarten for all four year olds in California. SB 837 would affect having to serve the free and reduced-price meals, breakfast snacks, etc. to students. It would also create free, early education and a stable funding source for all four year olds as a first step. Another new bill discussed was one without a number by Senator Hancock that requires afterschool centers and programs (e.g., local summer school or inter-school programs) to have a system for access to high quality year round education. Ms. Staniford said that there will also be a requirement of a Healthy Kids Survey administered by local educational agencies to students concerning the overall health and safety of students and the school climate. This is consistent with the SSPI’s priorities including caring for the whole child. Ms. Kaur mentioned that this is also consistent with the time to eat issue for students. Ms. Staniford also said that the Health Framework revision is postponed until 2020. Ms. Rice said there would be required language from the EC to incorporate HIV and Aids prevention for students in the Health Framework. Lastly, Ms. Staniford mentioned that there is a new LCFF accountability plan and funding model, which is an opportunity at the district level for health education to students.

As the legislative session continues, Ms. Staniford offered to provide legislative updates at upcoming CNAC meetings, including the upcoming April 14, 2014, meeting.

Item 2

From the NSD, Stephanie Papas, School Health Education Consultant, and Carol Chase Huegli provided information about the Team California for Healthy Kids Campaign Update and the Jamie Oliver debriefing.

Subject: Team California for Healthy Kids Campaign Update

Ms. Papas provided the CNAC with updates about the Team California for Healthy Kids (TCHK) Campaign. Ms. Papas talked through the handout provided which showed the CDE criteria and rubric for an exemplary program award in Physical Activity and Nutrition for Distinguished Schools in California for 2014. This exemplary award is highly sought after by schools and used by the community to market schools. The exemplary program awards in Physical Activity and Nutrition and the Visual and Performing Arts are new additions to the program.

Ms. Papas provided some examples to the CNAC for schools to become eligible to apply. These include academic progress (look at status/data to determine if eligible) and having received a distinguished school award previously. To create this year’s rubric for elementary level schools, more time was spent explaining the themed areas. The rubric is also a guide for schools who may not be eligible to apply this year, but want to apply in the future. Ms. Papas said the rubric and criteria for next year with be similar to the one this year, but will focus on seventh through twelfth grade schools. Ms. Papas collected suggestions from the CNAC which included having a minimum of 20 minutes seat time at lunch; and, in addition, at least 50 percent of the food and beverage choices served at classroom parties and celebrations are healthy foods and beverages as included in the rubric and criteria. Lastly, Ms. Papas said that salad bars and school gardens for food literacy and access are still priorities of the TCHK Campaign.

Jamie Oliver Debriefing

Ms. Chase Huegli and Ms. Papas provided the CNAC information about the Jamie Oliver press event hosted by The California Endowment. Jamie Oliver shared how he believes very strongly that California is the leader for this movement and how much progress California has made thus far. He said, “As California goes, so goes the nation.” He believes this and promotes progressive nutrition practices and the well-being of students, healthy school menus and meals, kitchen equipment grants, and free safe drinking water access for all students.

The main highlights and focus of the event included food service and the need for more kitchen equipment, infrastructure, and facilities (e.g., equipment grants). Ms. Kaur stated that the NSD received an equipment grant for $3 million and within the next 30 days the NSD will be sending out applications to districts to apply. Ms. Kaur also stated that if a district has extra net cash resources in its cafeteria fund, the NSD will not be offering this grant to that district because they would not be eligible to receive more money when they have sufficient funds to make such purchases, which was one of Clell Hoffman’s concerns.

Ms. Frinzell provided a brief history and information about the CDE Instructional Gardens and talked about the Preschools Shaping Healthy Impressions through Nutrition and Exercise (SHINE) program that is sponsored by the NSD and promotes the health and well-being of young children, three to five years old. This program consists of 10 main elements and criteria including Garden-Enhanced Nutrition Education, which fosters healthy habits during the early years of growth and development, promotes healthy eating and physical activity, and develops an appreciation of food and gardening. The CNAC and Ms. Frinzell stated that programs such as Preschools SHINE, gardens and salad bars, and campaigns such as the Jamie Oliver campaign and press events are very important to help schools, parents, students, food service staff, and communities to learn, promote, and encourage good nutrition education (e.g., through cooking demonstrations or classes) for overall positive outcomes and benefits for all (e.g., more consumption of fruits and vegetables by students). Ms. Frinzell stated that the Professional Standards for State and Local School Nutrition Programs Personnel as required by the HHFKA proposed rule might help improve this because it sets clear minimum hiring standards and requirements (e.g., for directors and food service staff), which will be described and talked about in Item 6, page 10. Ms. Rice also suggested that schools might offer a parent training class at the schools where parents/families would be encouraged to attend and be provided with cooking demonstrations or classes and good information and resources on nutrition education. By having more participation and involvement from the parents/families, the lessons and information taught at the training class can be applied at home.

Item 4

From the NSD, Michael Danzik, Nutrition Education Consultant (NEC), and Larry Herrera, Chairperson of the CNAC, provided information about the NSD Priorities for the CNAC for 2014.

Subject: NSD Priorities for CNAC for 2014

Finalizing CNAC Objectives

Mr. Danzik reiterated to the CNAC about the NSD staff plans and priorities for 2014 that were discussed by Ms. Kaur in Item 1. Mr. Danzik re-opened the discussion from the last CNAC meeting in December about CNAC’s 2014 objectives and priorities in order to finalize these priorities. Mr. Danzik talked through the PowerPoint slide showing the CNAC 2014 Priorities (discussed at the December meeting and referenced on Item 5, page 11 of the December meeting minutes) and the NSD 2014 Priorities (referenced on Item 1, page 2 of the February meeting minutes). The additions and changes to the CNAC 2014 Priorities discussed included:

Current and new USDA proposed rules and frameworks, public comment periods, and requirements

Continuing implementation of HHFKA (e.g. CACFP Meal Pattern)

Common Core State Standards (CCSS)

Water Access

Issues regarding Local School Wellness Policies and Committees

“Standards and Instructional Materials for Frameworks” to replace “English Language Arts/English Language Development Public Comment Period”

The CNAC finalized the CNAC 2014 Priorities list with the additions and changes discussed at this meeting.

CNAC Recommendations: Approve proposed changes made to the CNAC 2014 Priorities. Revise and finalize these priorities with changes made.

ACTION: Member Barbara Rohrer moved to approve the CNAC staff recommendations with changes made.

Ms. Reed, on behalf of NSD, formed a workgroup for public comments on the Common Core ELA/ELD Framework Chapters based on the successful process used for the Common Core Math Framework. The workgroup consisted of Nori Grossmann from the CNAC, Chris Boynton from Alameda County Office of Education, Shannan Young and Debbie Asada of the Dairy Council of California, Melody Lopez and Farrah Nortcutt of San Bernardino Public Health, and Susan Magrann of the Orange County Department of Education.

Ms. Reed explained that the workgroup process included looking at the various assessment chapters and discussing two categories of current language versus recommended language changes that could be made to incorporate nutrition education.Using this process, theworkgroup created a draft letter and table of recommendations/comments (attachment to the letter) for the CNAC to send in for the first 60-day public comment period for the 2014 ELA/ELD Framework Chapters.

To ensure that the CNAC was in agreement with the letter and comments table, Ms. Reed and the CNAC reviewed both of the documents and made edits and revisions which included deleting and adding information. For the letter, minor changes were made on pages two and three. For the comments table, the changes were made on pages two and nine, reflecting small changes to wording and, in one case, deletion of phonetic examples not deemed age-appropriate.

CNAC Recommendations: Approve proposed changes made to the drafts from the CNAC. Revise and finalize these to send to Larry Herrera by February 12, 2014, with changes made. Heather Reed will submit the letter and comments table by February 13, 2014, for the public comment period for the ELA/ELD Framework Chapters on behalf of the CNAC.

ACTION: Member Barbara Rohrer moved to approve the CNAC staff recommendations with changes made.

Item 6

From the NSD, Mandeep Punia, NEC, provided information about the Professional Standards for State and Local School Nutrition Programs Personnel as Required by the HHFKA.

Subject: Professional Standards for State and Local School Nutrition Programs Personnel as Required by the Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010

Ms. Punia provided the CNAC with an overview of the Professional Standards for State and Local School Nutrition Programs Personnel as Required by the HHFKA proposed rule in the Federal Register, Volume 79, Number 23. Ms. Punia provided a handout of this proposed rule during the meeting and talked through the handout.

Ms. Chase Huegli said that this proposed rule defines the expectations and criteria for the multiple levels of staff classifications in school nutrition programs including setting minimum hiring standards and requirements for directors and requiring continuing education and training for all school nutrition program personnel in local educational agencies. All this information is shown in more detail in the tables in the proposed rule handout that Ms. Punia provided. Ms. Punia informed the CNAC that the comment period is 60 days long and the deadline for submitting public comments is April 7, 2014. Ms. Punia invited CNAC members to provide their thoughts to her for consideration. The CDE is in the process of preparing comments to send in to the USDA, FNS, and will take partner comments into consideration. She also said the CNAC members may submit comments on their own behalf directly to the USDA, FNS. The instructions on how to submit comments directly to the USDA, FNS, are written in the proposed rule handout under “Addresses” on page 1.

During the April 14, 2014, CNAC meeting, Ms. Punia will share the CDE’s final comments on this proposed rule.

Item 7

Agenda for the April 14, 2014, Meeting

Government Affairs Division Updates and Legislative Updates with Whitney Staniford

Bringing in one funder (such as The California Endowment,Western Growers, or the Orfela Foundation) and two teachers (such as a teacher from Oakland Unified and a teacher from Santa Barbara County) to speak at the CNAC

CNAC Membership Election Nominations

LCFF Negation of issues: Provision 2 and 3 schools

Nutrition Education from school districts (Nutrition Education integrated: Local Control and Accountability Plan)

California Food Policy Advocates Survey: follow-up

AR Progress Report (Update on AR process)

CNAC 2014–15 Meeting Dates

Agenda for the next meeting

Lucy McProud moved and Barbara Rohrer seconded that the meeting be adjourned. The CNAC voted to adjourn at 2:40 p.m.